By Doris Schroeder
My mother was unusual, I grant you, but as I think back, I learned many things from her. No, she wasn’t perfect but then being a perfect mother is not possible because we are all human beings. We all do the best we can…most of the time.
She was a very intelligent woman, although she didn’t always voice her opinion. She had been a school teacher until I, as the second child, came along. As I was growing up, I noticed she seldom got mad at either my older sister, Luella, or me. Seldom do I remember her ever losing her temper with me or my sister. When my sister was accidentally killed by the neighbor boy, I have heard she was a little under a doctor’s care, but I didn’t know that. She was always soft spoken to me.
When John and I were first married, we rented a little one bedroom house on Harding St. When our first child was born about a year later and he was a boy, we were very happy. John had a job first laying and then selling carpet at Harmon’s Furniture Store. I was home with our little son and told John I would like to work downtown for six weeks and then stay at home with our son. He agreed and I took our son to my parents’ house each morning while I worked in the Electrical Department of Montgomery Ward. Mom enjoyed herself so much and had a ball. Yes, she had never had a boy and I know spoiled him a little but then, what are grandmothers for anyways?
Later, our daughter Judy arrived and my parents never once said no, they could not baby sit. They took it as an ultimate privilege. I always knew I could count on them. Mom was also a great cook and would make anything the kids asked her for, knowing it would always be delicious.
When I grew up in Hutch, California, the farm and finally back in Hutch, I cannot remember her really scolding me one time. It’s probably a good thing I wasn’t prone to be wild or it would have been an impossible task to raise me.
The first winter after our move back from California, I walked home from school with my friends Ruth and Rosella Friesen. I was wearing my green coat with a little fur collar Mom had bought me on our way through Riverside, California when we moved back. Anyways, we played a little on the country road and I slipped down in the muddy ditch and got mud on my coat. All the way home, I was sure this would be the time I would get scolded and I was trying to figure out what I would say.
When I told Mom what had happened, I was ready with my answers. Did I get to give them? No, she simply smiled and told me to lay it down by the stove and let it dry and then we could brush it out.
When I went to Buhler High School and worked at the drug store, Mom told me one time that my Grandmother Kroeker had told her that somebody told her that I flirted with the boys that came in. I was flabbergasted. “Of course, I didn’t!” She always believed me because most of the time I told her the truth.
Anyways, I’m sure you get the picture. It is so interesting now to look back and recall what wonderful parents I had. My friends in high school always marveled at how nice my parents were and I would wonder about that. Now, as I’m older, I can see that myself. Our own children felt they were the best ever!
We do have so many things to be thankful for in this life, but take them for granted along the way. God knew what we needed when he created us and He has given us the tools to get along in this life. The thing is, we have to be willing to be led by Him, take his advice and let Him lead us along the way. He gave each of us the parents we needed to make it in this world. Above all, we can have all the help we need by trusting completely in Jesus Christ as our savior and letting the one who is all-powerful, all-knowing and everywhere present lead us through this life that precedes our forever life in heaven.
On this Mother’s Day, however, I’m especially thankful for MY MOM!
Doris appreciates your comments and can be reached at dorisschroeder@ att.net
